Further 24 areas across Scotland to benefit from GP walk-in services, John Swinney announces

First Minister John Swinney has announced that a further 24 GP walk-in centres will be opened, bringing the total to 40.

The announcement comes as Swinney opened the 11th walk-in service in Buckhaven, Fife on Wednesday.

The areas identified by the Scottish Government include Angus, Dumbarton, East Kilbride, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Inverness, North Ayrshire, Paisley, Shotts, Tweeddale and West Lothian.

Work is now under way with health boards to establish the infrastructure needed to deliver the government’s aim of opening most services within a year.

The hope is GP-led walk-in services will help relieve pressure on NHS services by delivering same-day care for users.

John Swinney says he has delivered a commitment to open five GP walk-in services in the first 100 days of government. STV News

Swinney said: “I promised that my government would break from the status quo and introduce a new way for patients to access same day care – and we are delivering on that commitment.

“We are listening and want to create more choice for patients, closer to home and without the need for a pre-booked appointment.”

In the first six months since the scheme began, more than 10,500 cases have been dealt with, which will increase when services become fully operational.

Swinney committed to opening five new walk-in centres within the SNP’s first 100 days of office, following May’s Holyrood election.

He added: “This is part of my Government’s wider agenda to provide patients with greater choice and access to care closer to home – in turn relieving pressure on hospitals and acute services.

“It will complement our trusted network of GP practices across the country, which we are bolstering with historic additional investment to recruit more GPs with £531m to 2029.”

Locations of new GP walk-in services